Strapping apparatus

ABSTRACT

Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps round a palletized load of cans or other objects having a conveyor along which a load is transported. The conveyor has a first station where the load is prepared and a longitudinal strap is applied and a second station where additional straps are applied transversely to the direction of the first strap. A gate provided with a strapping means is pivotable between the first station and the second station so that it can be employed for applying all of the straps to the load.

United .States Patent [72] Inventors John C. Chisek;

Robert H. Campbell, Chicago; Earl H. Hahn, La Grange, Ill. {21 1 Appl. No. 790,969 [22] Filed Jan. 14, 1969 [45] Patented Mar. 2, 1971 [73 Assignees said Earl H. Hahn and Robert H. Campbell assignors to Continental Can Company Chicago, Ill. said John C. Chisek assignor to Interlake Steel Corporation [54] STRAPPING APPARATUS 9 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 100/7, 100/3, 100/14, 100/26 [51] Int. Cl. B65b 13/04 [50] Field ofSearch 100/2, 3, 7, 14, 25, 26; 53/198 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,436,055 11/1922 Shay (100/14UX) 111;, I11 "wlll 6 11H I] ll lilih, 1|; 111 1 1 14,1 4! 1 E "11 If i 2 I21 8 if I 1 2 Primary ExaminerBilly J. Wilhite Att0rneyWil1ia.m P. Porcelli ABSTRACT: Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps round a palletized load of cans or other objects having a conveyor along which a load is transported. The conveyor has a first station where the load is prepared and a longitudinal strap is applied and a second station where additional straps are applied transversely to the direction of the first strap. A gate provided with a strapping means is pivotable between the first station and the second station so that it can be employed for applying all of the straps to the load.

Patented March 2, 197 1 5 Sheets-Sheet I In men to 7 .9

M14214 Q mui Patented March 2, 1971 1 3,566,780

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jam 0. Chi/52k One such technique for strapping stacks of cans on pallets has been solely by the use of hand tools whereby the straps are manually encircled around the a palletized load and tensioned and secured by means of hand strapping tools. With this technique the pallets are stacked at a stacking station which has confining walls around it to prevent accidental displacement and dropping of the cans being stacked. Then, when the palletized load is completely stacked, it is shifted along a conveyor to a strapping station where the straps are then applied. When shifting the large palletized load containing hundreds of cans, it is difficult to prevent displacement of some of the cans so that they must be relocated or replaced prior to strapping with the additional time-consuming manual operation.

It is an object of this invention to provide means for applying at least one strap around a palletized load while it still remains at the stacking station after all of the cans are stacked in place on the palletized load. The load with at least a single strap can then be shifted to an additional strapping station for encircling with additional binder straps. However, by having at least a single strap in place as the palletized load leaves the stacking station, there is assurance that none of the cans will be displaced and this thereby saves the time-consuming manual operation of replacing or relocating the cans in the palletized stack prior to applying binder straps.

It is another object of this invention to provide a strapping means associated with a stacking station for palletizing cans or other objects which enables at least one strap to be applied while the palletized load is at the stacking station and which, by means of the same strapping head used to apply the first strap, can apply additional straps at a strapping station remote from the stacking station. This is accomplished by means of a strapping head secured to a gate which moves from a position along the front face of the stacking station to apply a longitudinal strap to a palletized load at the stacking station and thereafter the gate with the strapping head is shifted to a new position clear of the front face of the palletized load to permit transporting the load to a strapping station where the strapping head on the gate aligns with a side face of the palletized load for permitting transverse straps to be applied to the load.

It is another object of the invention to provide suitable guide means at the stacking station for mating with complementary strap guide means on the gate to provide a closed track loop for guiding the strapping around the palletized load at the stacking station.

it is still another object of the invention to employ the same complementary strap guide means on the gate when the gate is aligned with a side face of a palletized load. This is accomplished by means of a telescoping strap guide portion which retracts to accommodate the narrower width required for positioning of a transverse strap around the palletized load. Likewise, suitable strap guide means is provided at the strapping station to join with the complementary strap guide means to provide a closed loop strap track for permitting the strapping to be encircled transversely around the palletized load. for applying the transverse straps.

it is another object of the invention to provide a simple gate means on the strap guide portion at the stacking station to permit transporting of a pallet into place prior to stacking cans or other objects on it at the stacking station.

it is a further object of the invention to provide suitable power means for shifting the position of the gate carrying the strapping head and for the telescoping track means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a power-actuated segment of the complementary strap guide means mounted on the gate for the shifting of the lower portion of the strap guide means to insure proper alignment of the complementary strap guide means with the strap guide means at the strapping station.

It is still another object of the invention to provide means for compressing the load simultaneously with or prior to applying the strap loops to cause separators interleaved between layers of the cans to be deformed with imprints of the tops and bottoms of the cans or other objects to thereby provide'an interlocking between the objects and the separators and minimize accidental displacement of the cans or objects in the stack.

Other objects and advantages of the invention can be understood upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an overall perspective view of the main operating portions of the invention, including the stacking and i the strapping stations;

FIGS. 2 through 8 show diagrammatically, in simplified vform, the basic movements of the gate means carrying the strapping head with an indication of movement of the telescoping strap guide and how the strapping is applied, both horizontally and transversely, to a palletized load;

FIG. 9 shows a side elevation of both the stacking and strapping stations;

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of most of the apparatus shown in FIG. 9; I

FIG. 11 shows a sectional view along the line 11-11 of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 shows a side elevation of a portion of the strap guide means which is powered.

As shown in FIG. 1, the overall apparatus embodying the invention is adapted to a conveyor means 1 provided with a stacking station 2, a strapping station 3, and an exit region 4. The stacking station 2 supports pallets on which cans or other objects are stacked. Handling of other objects can be performed with this invention, but for purpose of explanation, cans will be referred to as an example. At the stacking station 2, a pallet 5 is positioned against a sidewall 6 extending vertically. Upon the pallet 5 are stacked the cans 7 in tiered layers interleaved with fiberboard separators 8 separating the layers of cans.

After a load of cans 7 is stacked on a pallet at the stacking station 2, it is then transported by the conveyor means I to the strapping station 3. However, prior to leaving the strapping station, as will hereinafter be explained, a single strap 9 is applied to the palletized load lengthwise of it. At the strapping station 3, a plurality of transversely directed straps 10 are applied to the palletized load one at a time. With the four straps applied, the palletized load 11 is fully strapped and complete and is thereafter transported to the exit region 4 where it can be removed for further handling.

The means for applying all of the straps to the palletized load ii is by the use of a strapping head 12 secured onto a gate 13 journaled at an upper region M and a lower region 115 to a vertically extending shaft Id. The gate 13 pivots on the shaft 116 between a first position perpendicular to the direction of the conveyor means i and a second position parallel to the direction of the conveyor means 1. In the first position, the strapping head 12 is used to apply the longitudinally extending strap 9. In the second position, the strapping head is used to apply the transverse straps 10 to the palletized load.

In FIGS. 2 through 8, the sequence of applying straps to a palletized load is shown. In FIG. 2, the strapping head 12 is shown attached to the gate 13 with strap guide means 18 at tached to it. Initially, a pallet is loaded at the stacking station 2 in a manner as described with layers of cans interleaved with the separators 8 to provide a palletized load II at the stacking station 2. Then, the gate 113 is rotated from its position as shown in FIG. 2 through to a position as shown in FIG. 3 where the gate 13 extends parallel to and against the front face l7 of the palletized load ill. With the gate 13 in this rotated position, the strap guide means 18 extends longitudinally of the palletized load ll with its outer end Mia furthest removed from the gate 13, but short of the outer face 19 of the palletized load E1. The strap guide means 18 is adjustable in length by means of a telescoping portion 18b which extends or retracts relative to an inner portion 180. Accordingly, the telescoping portion 38b is extended until it reaches the position shown in FIG. 4, to reach substantially to the location of the outer face E9 of the palletized load it. In this condition, the telescoping portion 18b abuts with a strap guide means 20b fixed at the rear of the stacking station 2 in strap guide means 20 encircling the rear and lower portions of the stacking station 2 to form a Complete strap guide loop in conjunction with the strap guide means 18 attached to the gate 13. With this alignment ofthe strap guide means, the strapping head 12 can be actuated to encircle a longitudinally extending strap 9 through the strap guide means 18 and 20 and around the palletized load it and tension and join the overlapping ends of the strap loop to secure it onto the palletized load 11.

After a longitudinal strap 9 is applied, the telescoping strap guide portion 18b is again retracted into strap guide portion we as shown in FlG. 5 and then rotated baclt 90 to its original position as shown in FIG. 6. The telescoping strap guide means portion 18b is retracted sufficiently that the end 1811 of the strap guide means 18 extends to approximately the far face 21 of the palletized load 11. In this position, the strap guide means 18 is aligned with strap guide means 22 positioned to encircle around the far face 21 and the lower surface of the palletized load 11 and, together with the strap guide means 18, provides a closed strap guide loop around the palletized load 11. This permits the strapping head 12 to be actuated to apply straps transversely around the palletized load H as indicated in FIG. 6 where the palletized load M has been shifted sufficiently for the placement ofa first transverse strap 10.

To apply a second transverse strap 10, the load 11 is shifted further along the conveyor means until the strap guide means 18 is aligned with the midsection of the load 11 where the strapping head 12 is again actuated to apply the second transverse strap 50 the load 11. As indicated in FIG. 8, the load 11 is shown further shifted down the conveyor to a position where a third transverse strap can be applied to the load i1.

After all four straps have been applied, the load 11 is ready for removal from the apparatus and, so, it is transported down the conveyor means to the exit region 4- for removal.

In more detail, as indicated in FIGS. 1, it) and 11, the gate 13 swings on the shaft 16 from between the positions as shown in bold outline in FIGS. it) and 11 and in dotted outline in FIG. 10. In the position shown in bold outline, the gate 33 rests against the forward face 17 of a palletized load 11 at the stacking station 2. The telescoping portion 18b of the strap guide means 18 is divided into two sections 18d and 13e which telescope with each other to provide the desired length of travel of the telescoping portion 18b. The end 18a of this strap guide means is the end of a strap guide channel lilfin which the strap is actually guided. The telescoping arrangement between the inner portion of the strap guide l8 and the telescoping portions of 18d and 182 is similar to the arrangement ofthe guide for travel of a drawer in an office desk. Such a mechanism involves telescoping portions with rollers to minimize friction and can be of many different know designs. In order to actuate the telescoping portions of the track guide means, an air cylinder 23 is provided which is joumaled at one end to a fixed anchor 24 on the gate 13 and is provided at its other end with a piston rod 25 having an end 26 secured to a transverse brace 27 of the outer telescoping portion 38a of the track guide means 18. As the piston rod 25 is extended, it extends the guide portion 136 to its full length which, in turn, causes the portion 28b to extend to its full length. This causes the extreme end 18:: to reach its furthest limit. Upon retraction of the strap guide means 118, the telescoping portion 18a is first retracted for its full limit and then an abutting portion of it causes the telescoping portion 18b to retract to provide the full retraction of the guide means 18. Of course, in the position shown in solid outline in FIG. 10, the track guide means 18 is extended for its full length in order to have its end 18a reach alignment with the track means 20 at the stacking station 2.

The inner portions of the strap guide channel 18fare further guided laterally by means of rollers l gjournaled in a frame portion 13a on the gate 13. As particularly shown in FIG. 11, a roller 18m is provided below the channel 18fto guide it along its lower portion. The roller 18m is journaled in a bracket 311 on the gate 13.

In order to swing the gate between its two extreme positions, another cylinder 28 is provided with its inner end journaled to the fixed frame 29 of the machine to a lug 30. The cylinder 28 is provided with a piston rod 31 which is journaled at 32 to a bracket 33 on the gate 13. As the piston rod 31 is extended, it causes the gate 13 to assume the position in bold outline in FIGS. 10 and 11. When the piston rod 31 is retracted, it assumes the position indicated in dotted outline in FIG. 10.

As further indicated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the gate is provided with an upwardly projecting arm 34 provided with rollers 35 and guided in an open-ended inverted channel 36 supported by the frame 29 and is shaped with a radius, as shown in FIG. 10, for a arc. This permits the outer end of the gate 13 to be supported in its travel between its two extreme positions Without any sagging due to its cantilever mounting on the shaft 16.

As indicated in FIG. 9, the strap guide means 20 is provided with a rear section 20a extending slightly at an angle to the vertical, an upper corner portion 20b, and a gate 20c pivoted on a pin 20d so that it can swing freely to the position shown in dotted outline to permit a pallet to be transported into the region of the stacking station 2 without interference from the track means. A lower run 202 of the strap guide means extends below the normal support level 37 of the conveyor means and terminates adjacent a corner portion 18h of the strap guide means 18 on the gate 13. Other portions l8j and 18k extend vertically away from the strapping head 12 so as to complete the strap guide loop around a palletized load 11 when the gate 13 is in the position as shown in FIG. 9 for applying a longitudinal strap 9 to the palletized load 11.

When the gate 13 returns to its initial position as shown in dotted outline in FIG. 10, which corresponds to its position in FIGS. 2 and 6 through 8, the strap guide means 22 is employed in combination with the strap guide means 18 associated with the gate 13. This strap guide means 22 is provided with a lower run 22a which aligns with the lower strap guide portion 18h on the gate 13. It is also provided with a lower corner portion 22b and a vertical portion 220 extending upwardly from it and extending to an upper portion 22d which aligns with the strap guide channel 18fof the strap guide means 18 attached to the gate 13. With this arrangement, a complete strap guide loop is provided in combination with the strap guide means 18 on the gate 13 and the strap guide means 22 so that transverse straps 10 can be applied to the palletized load 11.

It has been found that it is desirable to compress the palletized load slightly and cause the can ends to deform the fiberboard separators by impressions of the can ends into the separators. This minimizes unintentional shifting of the cans in the pallet load and maintains it as a unitized body. This provides compression other than by means of tension applied to the encircling straps. Accordingly, two cylinders 38 and 39 are provided, cylinder 38 being secured on a bracket 40 secured to the frame 29 and cylinder 39 being mounted on a bracket 41 secured to the gate 13. The cylinder 38 is provided with a piston rod 38a connected at its upper end to an arm 4? which projects inwardly across the region of the palletized load. The arm 42 is secured to a plate 43 guided in grooves for sliding movement vertically in the frame 29. The arm 42 is elevated and lowered as the piston rod 38a is extended or retracted. The arm 42 extending out over the palletized load ll can be lowered against the upper separator 8 forming the cover for the palletized load 11 and urge it downwardly to thereby compress the entire load 11. Similarly, the cylinder 39 is provided with a piston rod 39a connected at its'upper end to another arm 44 which extends inwardly over the location of the load 11 and acts in the same manner as the arm 42 to compress the load 11. Similarly, the arm 44 is mounted on a plate 45 guided in grooves 46 in the gate 13 for vertical sliding movement upon actuation of the piston rod 39a.

it should be noted that the arm 44 is employed first when the gate 13 is used to apply the longitudinal strap 9 by compressing only one edge of the load 11 adjacent its front face 17. When the gate l3 is in its other position for application of the transverse straps 10, the arms 44 and 42 are opposite each other so that opposite side portions of the load 11 can be compressed simultaneously. It is preferred that this compression occur simultaneously with or prior application of each individual strap.

As shown in FIG. 12, the lower section 18h of the strap guide means 18 is secured to a piston rod 47 which is reciprocated in a cylinder 48.-Section 18h is guided along a wall 49 of a bracket 50 secured to the gate 13. The wall 49 is sloped downwardly at an angle toward the location of the inner end of the lower run of the strap guide means 20 or strap guide portion 22a of the strap guide means 22, depending upon the position of the gate 13 at the particular time. The purpose of this is to actuate the section 18h toward the end of the lower runs 20c or 22a so that there -is a minimum gap between them to insure a continuous guiding for the strap as it is encircled around the load 11.

Although only a single embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it should be understood that the invention can be manufactured in other ways without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims in which:

We claim:

1. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means having strap guide portions which align with strap guides located at the respective stations to form a substantially closed strap guide loop at each station for guiding the binder strap into encircling relation about the load as the strapping means is employed to apply a binder strap to the load.

2. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized by, the strap guide portions on the'strapping means being extendable and retractable to accommodate to a different size strap guide loop at either of said stations.

3. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 2 characterized by, telescoping means associated withthe strap guide portions by, said strap guide portions on the strapping means including a strap guide segment movable relative to the strap guide portions toward the strap guides located at the stations in order to minimize any gap between the strap guide portions and the strap guides forming thesubstantially closed strap guide loop.

5. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 4 characterized by, and power means for causing said movement of the strap guide segment.

6. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized by, the strap guide located at the first station of the conveyor having a strap guide gate segment which is opened to allow passage of a pallet in a path intersecting the strap guide and into location at the first station.

7. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means-along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between the first and second stations.

8. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between on the strapping means to provide the extendable and retractable movements of the strap guide portions.

4. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized the first and second stations, and power means for causing said movement in either direction.

9. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is trans ported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means having strap guide portions which align with strap guides located at the respective stations to form a substantially closed strap guide loop at each station for guiding the binder strap into encircling relation about the load as the strapping means is employed to apply a binder strap to the load, the strap guide portions on the strapping means being extendable and retractable to accommodate to a different size strap guide loop at either of said stations, telescoping means associated with the strap guide portions on the strapping means to provide the extendable and retractable movements of the strap guide portions, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between the first and second stations. 

1. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means having strap guide portions which align with strap guides located at the respective stations to form a substantially closed strap guide loop at each station for guiding the binder strap into encircling relation about the load as the strapping means is employed to apply a binder strap to the load.
 2. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized by, the strap guide portions on the strapping means being extendable and retractable to accommodate to a different size strap guide loop at either of said stations.
 3. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 2 characterized by, telescoping means associated with the strap guide portions on the strapping means to provide the extendable and retractable movements of the strap guide portions.
 4. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized by, said strap guide portions on the strapping means including a strap guide segment movable relative to the strap guide portions toward the strap guides located at the stations in order to minimize any gap between the strap guide portions and the strap guides forming the substantially closed strap guide loop.
 5. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 4 characterized by, and power means for causing said movement of the strap guide segment.
 6. Strapping apparatus as defined by claim 1 characterized by, the strap guide located at the first station of the conveyor having a strap guide gate segment which is opened to allow passage of a pallet in a path intersecting the strap guide and into location at the first station.
 7. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between the first and second stations.
 8. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between the first and second stations, and power means for causing said movement in either direction.
 9. Strapping apparatus for securing binder straps around a load comprising, conveyor means along which a load is transported, a first station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a first dimension of the load, a second station on the conveyor where at least a single binder strap is applied to the load along a dimension of the load transverse to said first dimension, and strapping means movable between the first and second stations for applying the binder straps to the load at both stations, said strapping means having strap guide portions which align with strap guides located at the respective stations to form a substantially closed strap guide loop at each station for guiding the binder strap into encircling relation about the load as the strapping means is employed to apply a binder strap to the load, the strap guide portions on the strapping means being extendable and retractable to accommodate to a different size strap guide loop at either of said stations, telescoping means associated with the strap guide portions on the strapping means to provide the extendable and retractable movements of the strap guide portions, said strapping means being mounted on a gate pivoted for said movement between the first and second stations. 